Friday, December 23, 2022

All I Didn't Want for Christmas (2022)



Made for TV, airing on VH-1, December 7th in the US.
Filming location(s) unknown.
The story: Emily is the host of a radio show. 
A DJ co-worker is soon to be retiring and Emily desperately wants his job. But she knows that won't happen.
At the company Christmas party, the retiring DJ announces who will take his place and it is not Emily.
She soon decides to get snockered.
On her way out of the party, Emily sees a bunch of children writing their letters to Santa.
Emily insists on doing the same.
She goes home and writes a drunken letter, basically telling Santa off for all the Christmas wishes she's made in the past that he has never granted, but she still makes wishes.
Unfortunately for Emily, this year Santa is sticking to making the wishes of everyone who writes to him come true.
Stars Gabourey Sidibe, Jenna Katz, Darrin Baker, Erik Hutten, Connie Wang, Kate Schroder, Loretta Devine, Andrew Bushell, Eugene Clark, Jessica Clement, Kel Mitchell, Karen Knox, David Pinard
Directed by Brittany Scott Smith
Not Rated
COMEDY/DRAMA

Wednesday, December 21, 2022

The Grinch ; Dr. Seuss' (2018)



Released November 9th in the US.
The story: It is Christmas time in Whoville, the home of the Whos.
All the Whos are completely full of Christmas spirit because they love Christmas the most.
But the Grinch, who lives above Whoville, hates Christmas.
When he wakes to find he is out of food, he realizes he has to go into Whoville for some shopping.
He will despise every second of going into Whoville, where he believes during Christmas time, the Whos are most deceptive.
All the Grinch happens upon are joyful Whos and he cannot stand any of it.
After doing his shopping, the Grinch is accidentally bumped into by Cindy Lou Who, who is busily trying to mail a very important letter to Santa Claus.
She wants Santa to help her mother, who she loves very much and believes his helping her and giving her what she wants and needs is a lot more important than anything she could wish for.
The Grinch then bumps into Mr. Bricklebalm, who believes he is friends with the Grinch.
He informs the Grinch that the mayor has made it official that the Christmas celebration tree this year will be three times bigger.
When he gets home, he feels even worst and alone too, which upsets him something awful.
While playing chess with his dog Max, the Grinch's house is disturbed by Mr. Bricklebalm flying a giant Christmas tree into town.
When the Grinch tries taking out the tree and his plan backfires, it dredges up all his unhappy Christmas memories.
He then comes up with an even more sinister plan.
He will dress in a Santa Claus disguise on Christmas Eve and steal all of the Whos Christmas.
Little does he realize, Cindy Lou Who is planning on staying up all Christmas Eve to talk to Santa in person.
Stars (voices by) Pharrell Williams, Benedict Cumberbatch, Cameron Seely, Rashida Jones, Kenan Thompson, Tristan OHare, Sam Lavagnino, Ramone Hamilton, Angela Lansbury, Scarlett Estevez, Michael Beattie, Lori Alan, Carlos Alazraqui, Doug Burch, Cathy Cavadini, Tucker Chandler
Directed by Yarrow Cheney & Scott Mosier
Rated PG
REMAKE/ANIMATION/COMEDY/FAMILY/CHRISTMAS

"To kindness and love. The things we need most."

Scooby Doo! Haunted Holidays (2012)



Released October 16th in the US.
The story: This Christmas Velma and Daphne are helping to save their favorite toy store from going out of business by being in its parade.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, an evil snowman causes havoc by turning everything in its path to ice, leaving everyone to run for cover.
The gang runs into the department store, where they learn the story of the angry old man who used to own the house across the street where the evil snowman came from.
Everyone is convinced that the evil snowman is an attempt by the old man to take down the toy store once and for all.
Luckily, the gang is hot on the case.
Stars (voices by) Frank Welker, Mindy Cohn, Grey Griffin, Matthew Lillard, Fabian Freeman, Carlos Alazraqui, Fred Tatasciore
Directed by Victor Cook
Not Rated
ANIMATION/COMEDY/FAMILY/CHRISTMAS

The Last Drive-In Presents Joe Bob's Ghoultide Get-Together part 2/A Christmas Horror Story (2022/2015)



Made for Shudder, airing on live stream December 17th in the US./Movie released October October 2nd in the US.
Season 5. Episode 2./Movie filmed in Canada.
Joe Bob feels for people who get shamed just for their opinions.
Because he is not judgemental, he can understand people's interests in things he wouldn't even consider.
Joe Bob talks about how a recent comment from a famous athlete about a Lego set he will be buying has inspired him.
His conclusion is that we live in a county that is at peace, we have leisure time and we have disposable income, which makes us a unique country.
We are allowed to do whatever floats our boat and that's important, so don't judge people for what they want.
He also tells how the tradition of gift-giving came about.
Both Joe Bob and Darcy are in full cosplay mode this time around.
They continue on with the advent calendar, which is another item being auctioned off.
During this part of the show, you have the opportunity to have Joe Bob, an ordained minister, perform your wedding ceremony in Las Vegas!
Bid to win a customized song just for you, written by music guy from The Last Drive-In, John Brennan, Joe Bob's "Biedermeier" Pimp Shoes from the 2022 Halloween episode of The Last Drive-In, an original, signed by Joe Bob script from an episode of 'Married With Children in which he stars as a pest exterminator Billy Ray Wetnap, a pair of Joe Bob-worn silver bolo ties, the blood painting by Darcy from the 'Tenebre' episode of The Last Drive-In, be on a live taping of the Last Drive-In, Darcys Applause panties from the 2022 Halloween show, and out of print/ autographed movie sets.
Joe Bob suggests to Darcy that they do a fan poll on 'A Christmas Horror Story'.
The movie gives Joe Bob the idea that psycho hags make great horror movie subject matter and that should totally be brought back into movies.
Joe Bob reads loving fan mail, gets choked him up, and makes a toast.
The story: It's Christmas Eve in Bailey Downs.
High school students Molly, Dylan, and Ben are making a documentary about an unsolved double murder that happened at a local school last Christmas.
With many questions still unanswered after getting their hands on some police footage of the crime scene, they are forced to do their own research.
When they get trapped inside the school with someone who creeps them out, things take a turn for the messed up.
A police officer who was involved in investigating that same murder is taking his wife and son to a place they should not be, to cut down their Christmas tree.
With no concern for the rules, they end up being forced to be very concerned for their safety.
The father of a family that is in great need of some together time is planning on spending Christmas vacation with the family at Great Aunt Edda's house.
While there, the family gets schooled about Krampus.
Soon, they find that Krampus is actually real.
And, last, but not least, Mr., Mrs. Claus and their elves are very busy getting ready for Christmas.
Santa notices one of his elves is not feeling well.
Quickly, the elf takes a horrific turn for the worst.
Stars John Bloom Diana Prince, Yuki Nakamura, George Buza, William Shatner, Zoe De Grand Maison, Shannon Kook, Alex Ozerov Meyer, Amy Forsyth, Jeff Clarke, Michelle Nolden, Adrian Holmes, Olunike Adeliyi, Orion John, A C Peterson, Percy Hynes White, Corinne Conley, Julian Richings, Debra McCabe, Joe Silvaggio, John Brennan, Felissa Rose, Richard Wilt, Emily Peiffer, Bradford Thomas 
Directed by Austin Jennings/Movie directed by Grant Harvey, Steven Hoban & Brett Sullivan
Not Rated
COMEDY/HORROR/MYSTERY/SERIES/CHRISTMAS


"This is Joe Bob saying, if something goes without being said, let it."


Tuesday, December 20, 2022

The Last Drive-In Presents Joe Bob's Ghoultide Get-Together part 1/Don't Open Til Christmas (2022/1984)



Made for Shudder, airing on live stream December 17th in the US./Movie originally released December 21st, in the US.
Season 5. Episode 2./Movie filmed entirely in London, England.
This year isn't unlike any other Christmas for Joe Bob and Darcy. They are supporting charities to keep up with their holiday tradition.
Joe Bob speaks about faith and goodwill to others, while Darcy introduces him to the advent calendar.
The customary four charities they are supporting this year during this movie are The March of Dimes, The Motion Picture & Television Fund, The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and which Joe Bob tells us all about.
You can bid on a chance for a  meet and greet with AEW wrestler Chris Jerico and before the show, dinner with Joe Bob and Darcy, a Joe Bob stand-ee, a signed copy of Elviria's autobiography, a Joe Bob Western shirt, a Joe Bob signed poster, and a chance to have Joe Bob and Darcy visit you at your house and then take you and your whole family to Cracker Barrel!
You can also buy exclusive Joe Bob and Darcy merchandise to show your support, which also goes directly to the charities.
A few sponsor ads are included in the show and as per usual, Joe Bob covers all bases on the movie, the people involved in the movie, and all things you would never think of or know to think of about the movie, making you a total expert on the movie if you just listen...
Plus lots of Joe Bob Christmas ideas and jokes as well as Darcy's favorite-part-of-the-movie cosplay.
Joe Bob gets a letter and a gift from a fan and last , but not least , Joe Bob tells Christmas jokes.
The story: It is Christmas time in London. Many rent-a-Santa's abound.
But someone isn't liking any of these Christmas Santas and will do what it takes to rid the streets of every single one of them. One by one. In extremely gruesome manners.
New Scotland Yard is talking to any and all witnesses and survivors of the killer, trying to figure out any realistic motives and clues for the brutal slayings they call the "Santa Murders".
But while they try to catch the killer, the killer continues on, killing as many unsuspecting"Santas" as possible.
Stars John Bloom, Diana Prince, Edmund Purdom, Alan Lake, Mark Jones, Gerry Sundquist, Belinda Mayne, Kevin Lloyd, Kelly Baker, Wendy Danvers, Nicholas Donnelly, Pat Astley, Laurence Harrington, Ken Halliwell, Ray Marioni, Wilfred Corlett, Ricky Kennedy, Sid Wragg, Max Roman, George Pierce, Chris Jerico, Yuki Nakamura
Directed by Austin Jennings/Movie directed by Edmund Purdom
Rated R
COMEDY/HORROR/SERIES/CHRISTMAS

"So these are trinkets you buy at the Christmas store. Only mine is a trinket you buy at the truck stop."

"23 more killing days til Christmas."

Monday, December 19, 2022

Blonde (2022)



Made for Netflix, released on live streaming September 28th in the US.
Filmed in California.
The story: As a child, Norma Jean lived with her mentally unstable mother.
But her mother was all that she knew.
Her mother would tell her about her father, that he was to be kept a secret and that he was waiting for the right time to meet her.
Eventually, young Norma Jean found herself in a foster home.
Fast forward to adulthood, Norma Jean is modeling and soon acting as well.
She jumps head first into rolls but doesn't see herself as much of an actress.
When she visits her mother it breaks her heart.
Broken, scared, and always in hopes of meeting her father, Norma Jean has now broken her way into Hollywood.
Although she would much rather be in New York studying acting.
To the world, she is regarded as Marilyn Monroe, who almost everyone loves.
But Norma Jean does not love Marilyn or the life the name brings her.
Stars Julianne Nicholson, Lily Fisher, Tygh Runyan, Ana de Armas, Sara Paxton, Michael Drayer, Ryan Vincent, Rob Brownstein, Evan Williams, Xavier Samuel, David Warshofsky, Dan Butler, Rebecca Wisocky, Sonny Valicenti, Ethan Cohen, Bobby Cannavale, Mike Ostroski, Skip Pipo
Directed by Andrew Dominik
Rated NC17
DRAMA

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Panic (2000)



Released December 1st in the US.
Filmed in California.
The story: Alex is a middle-aged career hitman, who was raised by his father, also a career hitman.
He is married and has a young son, neither of which really knows about what he does for work.
Alex has recently been thinking of giving up his dangerous life but knows his father will never approve.
He begins going to a psychotherapist, although he's really not sure exactly why.
But he does admit to being a hitman who is quitting.
The more Alex contemplates giving up being a hitman the more his father pushes him to stay.
But when his father insists that his next client-paid hit is his psychotherapist, it really puts pressure on Alex.
Stars William H Macy, Neve Campbell, John Ritter, Tracey Ullman, David Dorfman, Donald Sutherland, Barbara Bain, Tina Lifford, Nicholle Tom, Andrea Baker, Thomas Curtis, Greg Pitts
Directed by (& story written) Henry Bromell
Rated R
DRAMA/MYSTERY

Saturday, December 10, 2022

Is That Black Enough For You : How One Decade Forever Changed the Movies (and Me) (2022)



Released on Netflix, airing on instant streaming, November 11th in the US.
The story: Movie critic, writer, and black America Elvis Mitchell takes us on a two-hour journey through black cinema.
Not only do we hear from black actors and actresses and how movies with and without black Americans in them affected them and their lives, but Elvis narrates the journey for us.
We are schooled about talented black American actors, actresses, directors, genres, and movie theaters in history.
Elvis questions where black cinema of the 70s went, where it came from, and what it all means.
Stars (voice) Elvis Mitchell, Margaret Avery, Harry Belafonte, Charles Burnett, Suzanne DePasse, Antonio Fargas, Laurence Fishburne, Sheila Fraizer, Whoopi Goldberg, Louise Archambault, Samuel L Jackson, Stan Lathan, Roscoe Orman, James Signorelli, Glynn Turman, Mario Van Peebles, Billy Dee Williams, Zendaya 
Directed by (& story written) Elvis Mitchell
Rated R
DOCUMENTARY/HISTORY

"We are important. Our hopes and dreams and aspirations. That's important."

The Good Nurse (2022)



Released on Netflix, airing on instant streaming October 26th in the US.
Filmed in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and New Jersey.
Based on truths.
The story: It is 2003 in New Jersey.
Amy is a single mother of two young girls, working as an ICU nurse.
She is battling a heart condition that she cannot let anyone at her work know about, for fear of losing her job.
Amy is a very compassionate person who does as much as she possibly can for her patients but it does take a toll on her.
One day while Amy is being reprimanded by her boss she learns the hospital hired someone who will be working along with her.
When Charles and Amy meet they hit it off right away and quickly become close friends.
Charles is a single parent of two young daughters as well but does not live close to his family.
He has taken his current job to be closer to his girls but his wife has moved further away.
Soon, patients at the hospital begin dying with apparently no life-threatening symptoms.
When the hospital fires Charles due to believing he is responsible for the deaths but won't admit to that, the hospital is advised to call in law enforcement to investigate.
Without much more help from the hospital, the police turn to Amy to help them put Charles behind bars and out of hospital work for good.
Stars Jessica Chastain, Myra Lucretia Taylor, Marcia Jean Kurtz, Alix West Lefler, Devyn McDowell, Denise Pillott , Dartell McRae, Eddie Redmayne, Judith Delgado, Joseph Fugelo, Jesus Papoleto Melendez, Ajay Naidu, Jennean Farmer, Noah Emmerich, Nnamdi Asomugha, Navya La Shay
Directed by Tobias Lindholm
Rated R
HISTORY/MYSTERY BIOGRAPHY/DRAMA

Montana Story (2021)



Released May 13, 2022, in the US.
Filmed entirely in Montana.
The story: Wade is a retired attorney on his deathbed.
He has been barely living since suffering a stroke.
His son Cal is called to return home to make the final arrangements for his father's property.
Cal isn't handling the situation well but he's doing the best he can.
Soon, Cal's older sister Erin arrives, which changes everything for Cal.
Cal has not seen Erin since she left home many years ago.
She had upset their father so much that he did something she could never forgive and is still holding a grudge.
All of it upset Cal, as the two were very close.
Cal looked for her for many years but was unable to find her due to her not wanting to associate with her father, Cal, and his mother.
Erin doesn't want to stay at her father's house but came home to see her father for one last time.
When she finds out that Cal has made arrangements to have their father's old horse put down, Erin decides she must stay, so she can arrange to take the horse back home with her.
While there, Erin and Cal slowly begin rekindling their relationship.
Stars Owen Teague, Kimberly Guerrero, Gilbert Owuer , Rob Story, Asivak Koostachin, Haley Lu Richardson, Kate Britton, Eugene Brave Rock, John Ludin
Directed by Scott McGehee & David Siegel 
Rated R
DRAMA

Thursday, December 8, 2022

Don't Worry Darling (2022)



Released September 23rd in the US.
Filmed in California.
The story: Alice believes her life is ideal.
She is married to successful Jack, they live in an experimental community through Jack's work and she has lots of housewife friends.
Plus Alice and Jack are young, without children, and that's just how they like it.
They are having fun.
One day, Margaret, a good friend of Alice's begins acting very strangely.
Actually, she has been acting strange since she walked with her young son onto her husband's work site, which is off-limits to anyone who doesn't work there.
Soon afterward, Margaret's son disappeared.
She is convinced that he was taken as punishment...
Now Margaret isn't herself and when Alice returns home one day, after walking onto the work site herself, she witnesses Margaret off herself.
Now Alice is questioning her life and what is really happening at her husbands' job site.
Stars Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, Chris Pine, Olivia Wilde, KiKi Layne, Gemma Chan, Nick Kroll, Sydney Chandler, Kate Berlant, Asif Ali, Douglas Smith, Timothy Simons, Ari'el Stachel 
Directed by Olivia Wilde
Rated R
MYSTERY
 

Monday, November 28, 2022

Smile (2022)



Released September 30th in the US.
Filmed entirely in New Jersey.
The story: Rose is a psychiatrist working in a hospital's emergency mental facility.
She cares very deeply about helping her patients, so much so that she would do it without pay.
Rose also comes from a background of mental illness herself.
When urgent care patient Leslie arrives terrified after being the only witness to the suicide of her college professor, Rose tries hard to calm her and get her to talk.
Leslie explains that she has been seeing people...
People that she may or may not know.
People who are alive or dead.
The "people" are all "disguised" as someone but Leslie believes they are all the same...
The one common denominator between all these "people", is that they make themselves visible to only her with evil, grimacing smiles on their faces.
What does Leslie believes will come of this?
She believes it will all be the very death of her.
Only after Leslie kills herself while the short time she is in Rose's care does she believe her.
But Rose has no idea how any of it could even be possible and what's worse is everyone she talks to about the incident just assumes Leslie was crazy.
The more horrifying things get for Rose, the more everyone around her believes she's just losing her mind as well.
Stars Dora Kiss, Meghan Brown Pratt, Sosie Bacon, Caitlin Stasey, Kal Penn, Ura Yoana Sanchez, Jack Sochet, Jessie T Usher, Gillian Zinser, Nick Arapoglou, Kyle Gallner, Perry Strong, Rob Morgan, Judy Reyes, Matthew Lamb, Jared Johnston, Vanessa Cozart
Directed by Parker Finn
Rated R
MYSTERY/THRILLER/HORROR

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)



Released July 26th in the US.
Filmed in California and England.
The story: It is 1969, Los Angeles.
Rick Dalton has been the star of a Western TV series since the 50s.
Along for that ride has been his stunt double/friend Cliff Booth.
Since the show's end, Rick has been struggling to find roles that he and Cliff can both pursue.
But times are changing and what is available to them isn't what they are used to.
While Rick struggles to stay in the business, he also struggles to keep his buddy Cliff working as well.
One day, Rick and Dalton realize the director of the hit film 'Rosemarys Baby' Roman Polanski and his wife, actress Sharon Tate are Rick's neighbors. But they do not meet.
On another evening, when the Manson family is on their way to the Polanski residence looking for the occupants that no longer live there, they instead happen onto Rick's home, where Cliff, Rick's new wife, and Rick are.
Stars Leonardo Di Caprio, Brad Pitt, Al Pacino, Damian Lewis, Timothy Olyphant, Mike Moh, Rafal Zawierucha, Margot Robbie, Emile Hirsch, Bruce Dern, Margaret Qualley, Lorenza Izzo 
Directed by (& story written) Quentin Tarantino
Rated R
DRAMA

Monday, November 14, 2022

Hotel for Dogs (2009)



Released January 19th in the US.
Filmed in California.
The story: 16-year-old Andi and 11-year-old Bruce are siblings having to go through the foster system due to losing their parents unexpectedly.
They have a dog named Friday which they have to hide from their current foster parents, so to make money to feed him, they do many things they get in trouble for.
The only adult that looks out for their best interest and gets them out of trouble is their social worker Bernie, who advises them that if they get in trouble again, he won't be able to place them together.
Right after Andi and Bruce get Friday out of the pound they witness a robbery.
When the cops show up and tell them to stop, even though they did nothing wrong, they take off running.
Friday runs into an abandoned hotel, and Andi and Bruce follow him.
Inside, they find two homeless dogs that Friday takes a liking to right away.
Andi and Bruce decide to let Friday stay there with the other dogs for the night.
The next day, Andi goes to the local pet store for food for the dogs, even though she doesn't have much cash.
Andi gets to talking to Dave the sales rep and tells him that her family takes in many homeless dogs and that she needs food for them.
Dave gets the bright idea that seeing how Andi's family takes in dogs, they can take in three more that he has at the pet store.
Plus he will help with food.
Soon Andi, Bruce, Dave, and Heather, another sales rep begin getting the hotel dog ready, so it can be "the place" for as many homeless dogs that need homes.
Stars Emma Roberts, Jake T Austin, Don Cheadle, Johnny Simmons, Kyla Pratt, Lisa Kudrow, Kevin Dillion, Ajay Naidu, Robinne Lee, Yvette Nicole Brown, Troy Gentile, Eric Edelstein
Directed by Thor Freudenthal
Rated PG
DRAMA/COMEDY/ADVENTURE

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

Killer Sally - Valentines Day/The Death of Mr. California/The People vs. Sally McNeil (2022)



Made for Netflix as a three-part mini-series, airing on instant streaming November 2nd in the US.
Filming location(s) unknown.
The story: In 1987, Sally was a single mother of two. She was also a Sergeant in the Marine Corps.
She took up bodybuilding as means of protection and soon, by the advice and permission of the Marine Corps, begin competing.
On Valentines Day of that same year, Sally won 4th place in her very first bodybuilding competition.
A friend of hers had shown her photograph to another Marine Corp/bodybuilder named  Ray Mc Neil, who said he wanted to meet Sally.
Shortly after the meeting, the two hit it off. After dating for just two months, the couple got married.
They quickly began bodybuilding together and then competing together as well.
For the couple and everyone around them, it seemed they were only on the up and up.
Ray was ready to begin professional bodybuilding by 1991, so he quit the Marine Corps with all his ambitions now on bodybuilding.
Sally was becoming a budding bodybuilder and alongside Ray, it didn't seem she would do anything other than go further.
While Ray began working toward his dream with Sally's full support, times became tough on the small family, trying to keep a steady income and food on the table.
All the while, Ray had big potential and he was completely dedicated to his dreams.
But Ray was insecure, and that didn't change no matter the better and bigger he got.
Steroids were definitely involved in Ray's life, and then, after seeing what they did for Ray, Sally's as well.
All the while though, Ray's needs were of the top most importance.
The happy couple began disagreeing and having arguments that became violent behind closed doors because Ray felt he was the most important thing in both of their lives.
Ray would never be able to see Sally as his equal when it came to bodybuilding, no matter what she did.
Sally was approached to do wrestling videos for 50 dollars an hour and went on to do more wrestling for more money.
Ray wasn't too bothered by Sally's wrestling because they were always in need of cash.
After a while, Sally began making her own wrestling videos.
In 93, Sally was now out of the Marine Corps and placed 5th in her next bodybuilding competition, but she was making way more money wrestling.
That same year, Ray qualified for Mr. Olympia and that's exactly what he wanted.
But he only placed 15th and he was pissed.
No one knew how pissed he really was. No one except Sally.
Ray went from a kind, gentle man to an overly, aggressively angry person, which was not who most people who knew him understood.
Everyone who knew and liked Ray never knew he was taking his aggression out on his wife.
Sally always gave him the benefit of the doubt when Ray continuously apologized after battering her.
He was also beating her children.
In 1995, Ray and Sally had been married for 8 years but things never got better they only got worse.
When Ray was training is when he would be the most violent with Sally.
She finally decided to make plans to leave before, she believed, Ray killed her.
Valentine's Day of that same year, it was a fun day for Sally and her children.
Later in the day, Sally was waiting around for Ray, but he didn't show up so she was getting ready to go look for him when he came home.
The situation caused a bad argument that escalated.
It escalated so much that Sally believed she was going to die, so she did the only thing she could think of.
Sally shot Ray.
Stars Sally McNeil, Peggy Hook, John McNeil, Shantina McNeil, Shannon Brown, Dan Goldstein, DJ Jeffers, Debrosha McCants , William Rafael, Lenda Murray, Wayne DeMillia, Melanie Jeffers, Hugh Malay, Lee Penman, Bill Wick, Diane Dimond, Rachel Louise Snyder, Nancy Kaser Boyd
Directed by Nanette Burstein 
Rated TVMA
DOCUMENTARY/HISTORY/TV

"I was so broken, I didn't know I was broken."

Thursday, October 27, 2022

Darling (2015)



Released April 1, 2016, in the US.
Filmed entirely in New York.
The story: Darling is an unstable young woman...
She has recently taken the job of house-sitting the oldest house in New York, a house that has a sinister history, although she doesn't know all of that just yet.
Speaking with the lady of the house, Darling is told about the last caretaker committing suicide in the house.
This news makes Darling even more unstable on top of being paranoid.
The longer Darling stays in the house, the more she doesn't trust it which it sends her right over the edge. 
Stars Lauren Ashley Carter, Sean Young, Brian Morvant, Al nisa Petty, Larry Fessenden, John Speredakos
Directed by (& story written) Mickey Keating
Not Rated
MYSTERY/THRILLER/HORROR

Monday, October 24, 2022

Visions (2015)



Released January 19, 2016, in the US.
Filmed in California.
The story: The last year had been a tough one for Eveleigh.
She was involved in a really bad car accident in which an infant lost its life.
This devasted Eveleigh and she ended up acquiring PTSD, which she took antidepressants for.
Present day, Eveleigh and her hubby David have just bought the house of their dreams on an old vineyard.
They are also expecting.
Things couldn't get any better.
But soon Eveleigh begins seeing strange things around her new home.
Things that cannot be explained.
After lots of research, Eveleigh believes she's beginning to understand what is going on.
But then, she learns, she had no idea.
Stars Isla Fisher, Anson Mount, Roberto Sanchez, Joanna Cassidy, Eva Longoria, Michael Villar, Jim Parsons, Bryce Johnson, John de Lancie, Annie Tedesco, Gillian Jacobs, Jeff Branson
Directed by Kevin Greutert
Rated R
MYSTERY/THRILLER/HORROR

Mr. Harrigan's Phone ; Stephen King's (2022)



Made for Netflix, airing on instant streaming October 5th in the US.
Filmed entirely in Connecticut.
The story: Craig is a young boy who lives with his father in a small Maine town.
He lives a pretty lonely, quiet life now that his mom has passed away.
Craig meets the powerful, aging recluse, Mr. Harrison after he hears Craig read in church one day.
Mr. Harrison hires Craig to come to his home and read to him, as his eyesight is failing.
For many years, Craig visits and reads to Mr. Harrison for five dollars a week.
The only other thing Craig ever receives from Mr. Harrison besides wisdom is holiday cards with a one-dollar scratch ticket enclosed.
The two become close friends, so close that after Craig enters high school and gets a cell phone, he wins money on one of the scratch tickets, and the only purchase he makes is a cell phone for Mr. Harrison.
This changes how Mr. Harrison sees the locked-away world he has been living in and it also bonds the two.
When Mr. Harrison passes away suddenly though, Craig continues to text and call Mr. Harrison.
To Craigs' surprise, Mr. Harrison responds, which inspires Craig and the future choices he makes.
Stars Colin OBrien, Joe Tippett, Frank Ridley, Chelsea Yakura Kurtz, Donald Sutherland, Jaeden Martell, Kirby Howell Baptiste, Peggy J Scott, Thomas Francis Murphy, Cyrus Arnold, Randy Kovitz, Connor William Wright, Alexa Niziak, Bennett Saltzman, Thalia Torio, Daniel Reece, Dale Duko
Directed by John Lee Hancock
Rated PG13
MYSTERY

"Keep giving all the love you can."

It Lives Again (1978)



Released May 10th in the US.
Filmed in Arizona and California.
The story: It has been many years since the nightmare Frank Davis experienced with the birth of his mutant child.
He has made it his mission to seek out families who are at risk of also having a baby like his, which killed so many people.
Frank has found himself at the home/baby shower of Eugene and Jody Scott.
He explains to them the best he can that their soon-to-be-born baby has the same defects his did.
The only reason Eugene and Jody even remotely believe him is because he was all over the news after the incident.
Soon a doctor working along with Frank and the local police are involved in keeping the Scotts' babys birth under wraps and secluded from the outside world.
No one wants the same disaster that happened to Frank and his wife to happen again.
But there are two more mutant babies other than the Scotts' and some have escaped.
Stars Frederic Forrest, Kathleen Lloyd, John P Ryan, John Marley, Andrew Duggan, Eddie Constantine, James Dixon, Dennis OFlaherty, Melissa Inger, Jill Gatsby, Bobby Ramsen, Glenda Young
Directed by (& story written) Larry Cohen
Rated R
SEQUEL/SCIFI/HORROR

Sunday, October 23, 2022

The Last Drive-In Presents Joe Bob's Haunted Halloween Hangout/Elvira's Haunted Hills (2022/2001)



Made for Shudder, airing on live stream October 21st in the US/Movie originally released October 31, 2002, in the US.
Season 5. Episode 1./Movie filmed entirely in Romania.
To please the masses this year, Joe Bob has made a checklist of all Halloween-themed props that he insists he and Darcy have on set.
Joe Bob gives us his best Trick or Treat tips and traditions.
They are visited by Cassandra Peterson, better known as Elvira, Mistress of the Dark...
Joe Bob sports his best Franken weenie costume, complete with ketchup instead of mustard, while Darcy cosplays as Elvira.
After the movie, Joe Bob changes into a Druid Priest costume...
They get to some fan mail and finally, in honor of 'Elvira's Haunted Hills', Joe Bob tells some Vampire jokes.
The story: It's 1851 in Carpathia.
Elvira is on her way to work in Paris with her servant when psychiatrist Dr. Bradley Bradley stops to offer them a ride.
They will be traveling to the haunted home of Vladimir Hellsubus, who lives a sad existence while grieving the loss of his late wife Elura, who happens to look like Elvira.
Elvira and her servant are only supposed to spend one night at the castle but they end up being stranded there for a whole weekend, due to some unexpected mischief.
Stars John Bloom, Diana Prince, Cassandra Peterson, Mary Jo Smith, Theodor Danetti, Scott Atkinson, Mary Sheer, Richard O Brien, Heather Hopper, Jerry Jackson, Gabi Andronache, Lucia Mair
Directed by Austin Jennings/ Movie directed by Sam Irvin 
Rated PG13
PARODY/SPOOF/COMEDY/SERIES/HALLOWEEN

"Why did Dracula fail art school?"
"He could only draw blood."

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

1BR (2019)



Released April 24, 2020 in the US.
Filmed in California.
The story: Sarah is a young woman, wanting to make a change in her life.
She finds an apartment for lease in L.A. and jumps at the opportunity.
When she arrives for the open house though, she steps into a room of various people looking at the place.
Just when Sarah is about to leave, the manager of the building advises her to stay and take a look.
Soon Sarah is surprised to learn she has been approved for the apartment and quickly moves right in.
She gets the impression everyone in the apartment building is very friendly and welcoming, and she couldn't have gotten luckier.
But even though all her neighbors believe they are a bunch living harmoniously in their self-made community, someone has it in for her cat, which she isn't supposed to have in the building and one night, they make sure Sarah gets the hint.
Sarah soon realizes that she has unknowingly moved into a cult-like setting.
Stars Nicole Brydon Bloom, Taylor Nichols, Giles Matthey, Naomi Grossman, Susan Davis, Alan Blumenfeld, Hailey Giles, Celeste Sully, Clayton Hoff, Earnestine Phillips, Andrew Carrillo
Directed by (& story written) David Marmor
Rated TVMA
MYSTERY/THRILLER

Sunday, October 16, 2022

Scream , Pretty Peggy (1973)



Made for ABC, airing November 24th in the US.
Filmed entirely in California.
The story: Peggy is an eager, energetic college student.
She has heard about a housekeeping job off campus and can't be more thrilled about it.
Peggy rushes off to the house for her interview.
She is met by Mrs.Elliott, the mother of Jeffery who put the ad out at the college.
Mrs. Elliott tries to advise Peggy that they do not need a housekeeper when Jeffery enters the room, shooing her off.
He invites Peggy inside and shows her around, allowing her to take the job.
Jeffery explains there is only light work to be done but Peggy is insistent that she can be there almost all the time, at every turn - persuading Jeffery.
The more time Peggy spends at the house, the more she learns about its inhabitants and the strange, dangerous secret they are trying to hide away from the outside world.
Stars Sian Tovah Feldshuh , Christiane Schmidtmer , Barbara Allen , Jessica Rains , Johnnie Collins III , Bette Davis , Ted Bessell , Charles Drake , Allan Arbus 
Directed by Gordon Hessler
Not Rated
MYSTERY/THRILLER

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

X ; Ti West's (2022)



Released March 18th in the US.
Filmed in New Zealand.
The story: 1979, Texas.
Wayne is taking his girlfriend Maxine, along with couple Jackson and Bobby Lynne to make an adult film...
Wayne believes the movie will make them all famous.
RJ, who is directing, wants to make an important, artsy kind of film, which he believes will also, make him famous as well.
Wayne has rented a small farmhouse from an elderly couple who also live on the property.
When the group arrives and meets Howard, the man of the house, they are a bit put off by his lack of hospitality and, his looks.
No matter , they came to make a movie, and making a movie is what they will do.
Although no one in the group knows it yet, Pearl - the lady of the house, has some deep-rooted issues and her own sex life is a big one of them.
When Pearl sees some things she shouldn't, it really sends her over the edge, putting everyone in grave danger.
Stars Simon Prast, Geoff Dolan, Matthew J Saville, Mia Goth, Martin Henderson, Brittany Snow, Kid Cudi, Owen Campbell, Jenna Ortega, Stephen, Ure, Bryony Skillington, James Gaylyn
Directed by (& story written) Ti West
Rated R
MYSTERY/THRILLER/HORROR

Friday, October 7, 2022

Scream AKA Scream 5 (2022)



Released January 14th in the US.
Filmed in North Carolina and California.
The story: Teenage Tara is alone at home , waiting for her girlfriend to come over when the landline rings.
The first time around,  Tara ignores it but it happens again, so she answers.
The caller claims to be someone from Tara's mother's "group" and just wants to say he called.
But Tara continuously asks questions.
The caller begins asking if Tara likes horror movies and if she is familiar with the very popular 'Stab' film.
Tara explains she thinks she remembers it , not that it's great.
Then the caller tells her, if she can get all the answers to his questions about 'Stab' correct, he will not kill her girlfriend.
So Tara complies.
Just when she believes she has got all the answers correct the caller tells her of her simple mistake and that now someone will die.
Tara is then attacked and barely gets away.
While Tara is in the hospital, her older sister Sam gets words about the attack.
Sam has not seen Tara in the last five years, due to her leaving home without an explanation.
She rushes to the hospital to be by her side.
But when Sam is also attacked while in the hospital, she decides she must finally tell Tara the truth about her father and why she was attacked.
Stars Jenna Ortega, Melissa Barrera, Jack Quaid, David Arquette, Courteney Cox, Neve Campbell, Mikey Madison, Dylan Minnette, Mason Gooding, Marley Shelton, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Skeet Ulrich
Directed by Matt Bettinelli Olpin & Tyler Gillett
Rated R
MYSTERY/HORROR/THRILLER

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Studio 666 (2022)



Released February 25th in the US.
Filmed entirely in California.
The story: Rock N Roll band the Foo Fighters are ready to make their tenth album.
They want it to be epic. Something very different than anything they've done before and they want it to take place at an extraordinary studio.
But they don't know where to start.
Explaining the dilemma to their manager Shill, who claims to not give a shit what they do as long as they make him a lot of money, Shill tells them he knows just what they're after.
He makes a call and gets them a walk-through of a studio/house which hasn't been used since the early 90s in Encino.
When the Foo Fighters get there, Dave isn't convinced it's the right place for them.
But then, he gets a feeling...and he hears the right sound...
That's when he decides to take the house and proceeds to convince the rest of the band that they must live there, to finish the album, which shouldn't take long at all.
But right away, things don't go good at all, then Dave gets writer's block.
It isn't until Dave stumbles onto something sinister in the house does he start getting inspired.
But he also becomes someone none of the rest of the band knows.
Stars Jenna Ortega, Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Pat Smear, Rami Jaffee, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett, Jeff Garlin, Leslie Grossman, Kerry King, Marti Matulis, Jason Trost, Lionel Richie, Will Forte
Directed by BJ McDonnell
Rated R
HORROR/COMEDY/MYSTERY/THRILLER

Saturday, October 1, 2022

A Quiet Place ll (2021)



Released May 28th in the US.
Filmed in New York.
The story: After Emily, Regan, and Marcus lose Lee, they have no choice but to move on.
After some time they find Emmett, who they knew before everything happened.
Emily wants to know why he didn't come for them when he knew they were out there stuck.
He explains that people are no longer the same as they were and they cannot be trusted.
He also explains that the next day they must be on their way.
That night, Regan hears music on the radio.
Something that Lee never did hear while looking round the dial.
Regan believes it's a sign to travel to an island not too far away.
She only tells Marcus of what she has discovered and that she is going to go find where the music is being broadcast.
Marcus tells her it's a bad idea but she goes anyways.
When Emily finds out Regan is gone, she begs Emmett to go and bring her back.
But with nothing left to lose and no other options, Regan will not return before she knows for sure.
Stars John Krasinski, Millicent Simmonds, Emily Blunt, Noah Jupe, Cillian Murphy, Zachary Golinger, Dean Woodward, Djimon Hounsou, Okieriete Onaodowan, Scoot McNairy, Alice Sophie Malyukova
Directed by John Krasinski
Rated PG13
SEQUEL/HORROR/THRILLER/MYSTERY

Thursday, September 29, 2022

Just Another Girl on the I.R.T. (1992)



Released March 19, 1993, in the US.
Filmed entirely in New York.
The story: Chantel is a 17-year-old with lots of opinions and arrogance.
She lives with her parents - Ariyan who work paycheck to paycheck, and her two younger brothers.
Chantel has plans.
She doesn't want to be stuck in Brooklyn with no cash for the rest of her life.
She gets A's and B's in school and believes it's a surefire bet that she will get into college and come out a doctor.
What Chantel doesn't plan on is getting pregnant.
When she does, it really messes things up.
Stars Ariyan A Johnson, Ebony Jerido, Chiquita Jackson, Kevin Thigpen, Jerard Washington, Tony Wilkes, Karen Robinson, Johnny Roses, Kisha Richardson, Monet Dunham, Wendell Moore
Directed by (& story written) Leslie Harris
Rated R
DRAMA

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Avenging Angel (1985)



Released January 11th in the US.
Filmed in California.
The story: Angel has turned her life around thanks to the help of Lt. Andrews.
She is now only known as Molly to the people in her life and is attending school, studying law.
When Lt. Andrews is in town visiting Angel, he gets shot and killed.
The only witness to the crime is street entertainer, Johnny Glitter.
Angel returns to the streets she once knew as home to find some of her old friends.
When Kit takes Angel to talk to Johnny, they save him from Lt. Andrews' killers.
Now, along with their help, Angel makes it her mission to exact revenge for Lt. Andrews's untimely death.
Stars Betsy Russell, Robert F Lyons, Barry Pearl, Paul Lambert, Estee Chandler, Susan Tyrrell, Steven M Porter, Ossie Davis, Roy Calhoun, Tim Rossovich, Frank Doubleday, Howard Honig, Ross Hagen, Tracy Robert Austin, Liz Sheridan, Hoke Howell, Paul Mousie Garner, Joseph Michael Cala
Directed by Robert Vincent ONeil
Rated R
SEQUEL/MYSTERY/THRILLER

Mom and Dad (2017)



Released  January 19 , 2018, in the US.
Filmed entirely in Kentucky.
The story: Brent and Kendall are a loving, married couple with two kids.
While Brent is having a mid-life crisis and trying to get back into the swing of family life, Kendall concentrates on keeping the family unit happy and close.
Their teenage daughter Carly makes things a bit tricky for her parents while her little brother Josh is just a plain-out happy kid.
One day, while Carly is at school, things get weird quick.
The whole school is evacuated to the outside grounds, where, on the street side of the fence many students' parents are gathered.
The parents strangely enough are going out of their way to get their kids to meet them on the other side of the fence.
Little does anyone actually realize yet though, the parents of the world are turning on their children in an extremely violent way for no real reason at all.
Stars Nicholas Cage, Selma Blair, Anne Winters, Zachary Arthur, Robert T Cunningham, Olivia Crocicchia, Samantha Lemole, Joseph D Reitman, Rachel Melvin, Bobby Richards, Sharon Gee, Edwin Lee Gibson, Brionne Davis, Mehmet Oz, Lance Henriksen, Marilyn Dodds Frank
Directed by (& story written) Brian Taylor 
Rated R
SCIFI/HORROR/DARK COMEDY

"Your mother fucking mother said to open the mother fucking door, you mother fuckers!"

10 x 10 (2018)



Released April 13th in the US.
Filmed in Georgia and England.
The story: Lewis is a regular guy with a giant grudge.
He has been following and stalking flower shop owner Cathy.
One day, when the time is right, Lewis abducts Cathy and locks her away in a hidden room in his house.
Anytime Lewis speaks to Cathy, he only asks that she tell him her name, which, eventually, she does.
But Lewis isn't happy with Cathy's answer.
He knows she isn't who she says she is and that she is hiding a secret that is really making him crazy angry.
Stars Luke Evans, Kelly Reilly, Jill Winternitz, Noel Clarke, Olivia Cheney, Norma Dixit, Mike Kelson, Stacy Hall, Skye Lucia Degruttola, Jason Maza, Christian Blaque Meier, Donovan Elmore
Directed by Suzi Ewing
Not Rated
MYSTERY/THRILLER

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Licorice Pizza (2021)



Released December 25th in the US.
Filmed in California.
Based on truths.
The story:  It's the mid-70s in Encino, California.
Gary Valentine is a 15-year-old high school student getting ready for picture day.
He is also a child star.
28-year-old Alana happens to be working for the company that is taking the school photos.
Other than that, Alana doesn't have much going on and has no idea where her life is headed...
The two meet when Alana is offering the students a mirror and/or brush before their turn at the photo booth.
Gary charms the heck out of Alana, who is strangely impressed by him.
He goes on auditions but isn't right for most of the parts targeted at his age.
So sometime after the two become friends, Gary begins side-hussleing many business ideas that eventually always fall through.
Eager Alana is right there, ready to go along with him as his business partner, even though all endeavors lead to disappointment.
Always on a search to find herself, and always back and forth between loving and hating Gary, Alana continues to look for herself, with and without Gary.
Stars Cooper Hoffman, Alana Haim, Patrick Hoelck, Donna Haim, Este Haim, Danielle Haim, John Michael Higgins, Skyler Gisondo, Emma Dumont, Christine Ebersole, Sean Penn, Tom Waits, Gary Goetzman, Iyana Halley, George DiCaprio, John C Reilly, Lily Munster, Benny Safdie, Bradley Cooper, Ray Nicholson, Isabelle Kusman, Harriet Sansom Harris, Megumi Anjo, Ray Chase
Directed by (& story written) Paul Thomas Anderson
Rated R
DRAMA/COMEDY

Saturday, September 24, 2022

Horrible Bosses 2 (2014)



Released November 26th in the US.
Filmed entirely in California.
The story: Nick, Kurt, and Dale are three best buds who have all quit their jobs to go into business together.
When they invent an innovative showerhead system and their idea gets picked up, they believe they are on the up and up.
Just when they get ready to get to business the client who hired them backs out, leaving Nick, Kurt and Dale completely broke.
With lots of planning and thought, they come up with a scheme to get the money that is rightfully owed to them.
Only their plan isn't foolproof.
Stars Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, Keegan Michael Key, Kelly Stables, Charlie Day, Christoph Waltz, Chris Pine, Jamie Foxx, Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Aniston,  Jonathan Banks, Lindsay Sloane 
Directed by Sean Anders
Rated R
SEQUEL/COMEDY

Friday, September 23, 2022

The Aviary (2022)



Released April 29th in the US.
Filming location(s) unknown.
The story: Jillian and Blair are two women in the middle of escaping from a cult by walking through the New Mexico desert.
Jillian has taken Blair along with her as she feels responsible for bringing her into the cult in the first place.
Blair is stuck on blaming herself for many things that are not going as planned.
But Jillian continuously convinces her that none of it is her fault.
They believe they can find civilization in a few days with only the help of a map and the sun.
Although after a few days, they find themselves back in the same area they started from.
Jillian and Blair both begin seeing things, which makes breaking free from their cult leader a lot harder than they thought.
Before too long,  reality and illusion get so intertwined that neither woman can tell the difference.
Stars Malin Akerman , Lorenza Izzo , Chris Messina , Sandrine Holt
Directed by (& story written) Chris Cullari and Jennifer Raite
Rated R
MYSTERY/THRILLER

Monday, September 5, 2022

Leaving Neverland (2019)



Released as a two-part series on HBO, March 3rd & 4th in the US.
Filmed in Australia and California.
The story: Michael Jackson has always been popular but during the mid-80s, his career was at an all-time high.
Everyone wanted to meet him.
In 1986, 5-year-old, Australian Wade Robson's dreams came true when Michael came to Australia and Wade found himself dancing onstage with him.
In 1987 , 10-year-old James Safechuck found himself starring in a Pepsi commercial alongside Michael Jackson, which started a ten-year relationship between himself, his parents, and Michael.
When Wade was 7 years old he, his sister, and their mother became close friends and travel companions with the pop icon.
Both boys had a special spot in their hearts for the singer, becoming really great friends with him as well as trusting him completely.
But both boys were covering up a seriously horrible secret.
Both men claim that during those years, both were being sexually abused by him.
Nothing came of any of it until years after James and Wade had begun to go on with their lives, not seeing their friend as often as they once did.
Other young boys, who found themselves in the same exact positions as 10-year-old James and 7-year-old Wade began coming forward, accusing the star of sexual misconduct.
But years after defending their famous friend on the witness stand and claiming to have never experienced any abuse whatsoever, issues in their own lives became apparent.
Stars Wade Robson, Joy Robson, Chantal Robson, Lorriane Jean Cullen, Amanda Rodriquez, James Safechuck, Stephanie Safechuck, Laura Primak, Gavin Arvizo 
Directed by Dan Reed
Rated TVMA
DOCUMENTARY/BIOGRAPHY/HISTORY/SERIES/TV